Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Fresh Air Flicks - IRON MAN!!!! July 10th


Located in Thomas Plaza, 2nd St. and Thomas, in downtown Pomona at Dusk, Friday July 10. Bring a chair and join in the fun of an outdoor movie. It's free to all !!

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Pomona Christmas Parade Update

The Pomona Christmas Parade volunteer committee met recently to chart the parade's progress to date. Things are coming along nicely. From all indications the parade is going to be a success! A list of Grand Marshal candidates is in the works, as is a theme for the parade. Your help and input is needed however. Take a few minutes to help by responding to the poll below. What theme would you most like to see? No more than 3 selections please...and if you don't see a theme you like, feel free to write in your own suggestions.

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Monday, June 29, 2009

Blackberry coffee cake, anyone?

photo by: Thomas Cordova

The charming Pomona Baking Co. in downtown P-town is run by Chaffey College assistant professor Daniel Swift. This joint is everything that chain-hating gourmands look for in a bakery -- fresh ingredients, innovative recipes and acceptance of special requests.

If you're used to buying baked goods at Costco, Pomona Baking Co. -- $4 a loaf of bread, 75 cents a cookie, $1.75 a sticky bun -- might seem pricey. But Swift is confident that bread is a "recession-proof business."

"As long as people understand the quality factor," Swift said. "I've never had anyone say they won't pay $4 for a loaf. It's handmade and it's made with love."

If Pomona's too far for a dessert run, you can try baking yourself. Swift's coffee cake recipe follows.

Blackberry sour cream coffee cake
Recipe courtesy of Pomona Baking Co.

Feel free to substitute other berries or chopped fruit in place of the blackberries. This is a very versatile recipe which suits many different seasonal fruits.

Preheat oven to 350 degress and grease one 9x13 inch baking dish.

Ingredients for coffee cake
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup salted butter melted
2 eggs lightly beaten
2 cups black berries

Ingredients for topping
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup salted butter melted
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

The coffee cake
Stir together flour, sugar and baking powder in one medium sized mixing bowl until evenly combined. Stir together sour cream, melted butter and beaten eggs in another medium-sized mixing bowl until well incorporated. Gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together. Don't over mix. Spread half of the batter in the bottom of the lightly greased pan. Sprinkle blackberries over the first layer of batter then cover the berries with the other half of the batter.

The topping
Stir together all ingredients until a crumbly mixture forms. Sprinkle over the top of the coffeecake and bake for 40 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Cool for 10 minutes before cutting.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

June Metro Night Out



Last Saturday in Metro Pomona, now called "Metro Night Out" was everything the name suggests. Many galleries were open and crowds were large. Restaurants and bars were packed .The Farmers Market was jumping and the car show was awesome. Everywhere you looked people were out to enjoy the evening, listening to some great music, seeing some great art, and having a great time. Welcome to Pomona!

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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Final Fresh Air Flicks Poll


This year's Fresh Air Flicks series will begin Friday, July 10 at Thomas Plaza. We appreciate all the input we have received from you, but we need your opinion one more time. The films you see listed below were too close to call in the latest poll, so we are asking you to vote for "six" movies this time around, and that includes any write-ins you may have. The poll will close Monday, July 6. The results will be posted soon after.

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Metro Night Out!

Come join the fun Saturday June 27 as downtown Pomona celebrates Metro Night Out on the last Saturday of the month. Every last Saturday the Arts Colony hosts the closing of shows which opened on the 2nd Saturday of the month, it's an opportunity for those of you that missed the opening to see it fresh before the closing, and for those of you who came to 2nd Saturday it's an opportunity to see it all again, or to see some of the shows you missed the first time around.

Thomas Plaza at 2nd and Thomas St. will feature live entertainment and a Farmers Market, and new this month is an all class car show and Cruise Night with entries from all around the area, even some motorcycles. It all starts at 5 PM and runs till 9PM or later.

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Arches Poll Results

Ever wonder what happens to the results of poll questions on this blog? Some of you might wonder if the results are of any importance to anyone. You bet they are. That's why we encourage as many of you as possible to share your opinions when polls are conducted on this blog. In the case of the arches, the results of the poll will be submitted to the DPOA Joint Operations Committee (responsible for security and maintenance issues in the downtown and meets at 4:30 P.M. every First Thursday of the month) and the Marketing Committee, which meets at 5:30 P.M. every first Thursday of the month. The committees will discuss, come to a consensus, and direct the DPOA staff to "make it happen". The DPOA staff, which is the Executive Director, Executive Assistant, Maintenance worker, and consultants, don't work in a vacuum. They are given direction by the DPOA Board of Directors directly, and via various committees established by the board. Just so you know.

The results of the arches poll:
"What color would you like to see the arches painted ?"

Golden Gate Red 37%
Leave it as it is 17%
Blue 17%
Teal 15%
Green 6%

Other suggestions;
- Art Deco Turquoise
- Strip it down to bare metal and clear coat it
- Terracotta, rust, paprika, or cardamon..can we do the letters a different color?
- Any color but make the letters a contrasting color.

When a decision is made and direction given to the staff, we'll let you all know. In the meantime, respond to the polls and surveys. We are listening.

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Friday, June 26, 2009

Miss Pomona Update!

NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:Lorena Matarrita

Downtown Pomona Owner’s Association101 W Mission Blvd #110-410, Pomona, CA 91766

(909) 469-1121(909) 469-1120 Fax http://us.mc541.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=downtownpomona@hotmail.com http://www.metropomona.com/

THE MISS POMONA PAGEANT RETURNS
Restoring a Healthy Sense of Optimism Throughout the City
POMONA, Calif., (June 26, 2008)—The Downtown Pomona’s Owners Association (DPOA) announced today that it will host the Miss Pomona Pageant this year. Returning from a two year hiatus, the Miss Pomona Pageant award ceremony is scheduled for the evening of October 25, 2009 at the newly remodeled Fox Theater.

“The Miss Pomona Pageant is a very special event to many residents, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to bring this experience back,” said Lorena Matarrita, Co-Chair of the Miss Pomona committee and Miss Pomona 2004. “The pageant which has gone missing for two years will return, and a very deserving young lady will be crowned Miss Pomona in October.”

To participate in the pageant, candidates must be an unmarried Pomona resident, under the age of 21, a current student of junior or senior status attending a high school in Pomona , and have a grade point average of 3.0 or better. There is no particular talent requirement, however she must be ready to demonstrate that she is involved in her community, and be prepared to properly represent the city of Pomona at various events. Applications will be made available in August, after the start of the new school year.

Plans are to notify all eligible candidates, then move the interview process along to a coronation, at which point scholarships in an amount yet to be determined will be awarded to the newly crowned Miss Pomona and her court.

“The Miss Pomona Pageant is a great citywide tradition that needs to be upheld for our loyal residents.” said Matarrita. “And so, a committee to reinstate this event was formed two months ago, now the ball is rolling and we are in a position to announce our plans.”
The grassroots committee consists of a group of active Pomona residents that are dedicated to making the pageant happen. Co-Chairs of the committee are Lorena Matarrita, DPOA Executive Assistant and former Miss Pomona, and Mickey Gallivan, Pomona Historical Society President. Other committee members are: Katherine Culliver and Adriana Robledo, Pomona Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and former Miss Pomona Princesses, Larry Egan , executive director DPOA, Paul Knopf, teacher, Pomona Unified School District, Ronald Ching, Pomona Community Life Commissioner, Tim Saunders, Pomona City Councilmember, Dawn Schaller, active community member, and Rita Romero, Pomona Cultural Arts Commissioner.
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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Opera Coming to The Fox Theater!

POMONA, CA—The historic Fox Theater in Pomona and The Repertory Opera Company are bringing professional opera to the Inland Empire.
“We are very excited to be performing in such a wonderful space,” said LizBeth Lucca, Pomona resident and Artistic Director for the opera company. “The historical presence of the building is fabulous and the acoustics are great. The singers’ voices just resonate beautifully out into the hall."
The first opera will be Elixir of Love by Donizetti on Sunday, August 30 at 2 pm. “We hope this will be the start of a four-show opera season at the Fox. Pomona is establishing itself as a cultural presence in the Inland Empire with the Fox Theater and with the Arts Colony. Now we have an opera company.” said Mrs. Lucca. The Repertory Opera Company was established six years ago and is based in Pomona. The group has staged 16 opera productions in Los Angles to critical acclaim. Past productions by the group include La Boheme, Falstaff, Don Giovanni, Tales of Hoffman and The 
Barber of Seville. The most recent production of the Repertory Opera Company, The Marriage of Figaro, was performed at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center.
“We also did a successful traveling production of Don Pasquale,” said Ms. Lucca. “With the upcoming production of Elxir of Love at The Fox we will completely transition to Pomona. The Inland Empire forms the ideal community to support a regional opera company.”
As a regional opera company the group provides opportunity to both aspiring opera singers developing their resume, and also many skilled vocalists for whom opera is a second career. Ms. Lucca can cite the names of at least a half dozen singers who performed with Repertory Opera Company and who have moved on to a major opera company, or are performing internationally, including two children from Claremont who have gone on to sing with Los Angeles Opera.
“The performance we are planning for the Fox Theatre will include Leslie Dennis who is a wonderful performer and soloist with LA Opera,” said Ms. Lucca. Other performers are being cast. 
“Part of the Repertory Opera Company’s mission is to give local performers a venue,” added Ms. Lucca, “so we will also be looking for local talent in the next few weeks.”

Information on auditions is available by calling The Repertory Opera Company at 909-230-4949. You can also visit their website at www.repertoryoperacompany.org, or become a fan on Facebook under Repertory Opera Company.

Tim Sunders - Gonzo Marketers

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Latino Art Museum July Exhibition

Hessam Abrishami
July 8th - 29th
Opening Reception July 11th 6-9pm / During 2nd Saturday Art Walk
Closing Reception July 25th 6-9pm / During Last Saturday Metro Night Out

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Friday, June 19, 2009

Attention Downtown Pomona Merchants, Professionals, and Businesses!


If you own or operate a business, professional office, or are a merchant of any kind in downtown Pomona, you are eligible to be posted on the Metro Pomona Business Directory, free of charge.

Your business must be within the following boundaries; First Street to Mission Blvd. and Parcels to Allen Lane.

You may already be listed, please check at http://www.metropomona.com/. If you are not listed or if the information is dated or not accurate email us with the correct information at downtownpomona@hotmail.com and we'll fix it right away.

You are also invited to set up at either of the downtown Pomona Farmers Markets free of charge. If you are interested check out :
download an application and get it to us. Or call us at (909) 469-1121

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Happy Birthday Ashley!!

Just found out today is A.S. Ashley's birthday. Let's all wish him a happy one!!

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Fresh Air Flicks Movies


Here are the top 20 Fresh Air Flicks movies you voted for. We will be selecting 9 of these movies to show during July and August . So cast your vote one more time. Select multiple movies from the list. You can only vote one time. We will post the results after the polls close. See you at the Movies!!!

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Special Events at AMOCA!

Guest DAVID FURMAN
Slides and Dialogue: 40 Years of Work
Saturday, June 27, 5 - 7p.m.
For more than 40 years, artist David Furman has created diverse works in clay that express his ideas, experiences, and perceptions through irony, empathy, and humor. His repertoire is vast, ranging from miniature room vignettes and small dioramas to tromp l' oeil works. Furman's recent work is focused on composite-vegetable teapots and wooden-mannequin based scenarios that portray human emotion. Open to the public, $5 admission; free for members
To RSVP, please call 909/865-3146 or email:  frontdesk@ceramicmuseum.org


Demonstration Workshop with artist Don Reitz
Sunday, August 23, 2009, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Recognized as one of the most important and influential ceramic artists of this century, Don Reitz is well known for reviving salt and wood-firing techniques. His life-long commitment to research, testing, and experimentation have been crucial to the development of his cutting-edge work. Reitz's distinctive use of color, surface, and gestural markings make him one of the most recognized artists in American studio ceramics.
Fee: $65 for AMOCA members, $85 for non-members and includes continental breakfast.  To purchase a reservation, please call: 909-865-3146 with a major credit card, (VISA, MASTERCARD or DISCOVER) or send a check to: AMOCA, 340 South Garey Avenue, Pomona, CA 91766


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Help the dA!!

Calling all Artists who would like to help the dA celebrate 25 years of community art happenings in Pomona. Saturday, June 27th will be the official birthday celebration for the 25th anniversary of the dA. The highlight of the event will be a reprise of dAzert, a favorite fund raising event.

Please stop by the dA starting today to paint a birthday cake plate which will be sold at dAzert for $20. Dee Cole has donated paints to the dA that adhere to porcelain plates, and David Armstrong has donated 200 plain collector plates.

So far the artists have had a lot of fun painting them.

When to stop by:
Wednesday noon to 5pm, Thursday noon to 9pm, Friday and Saturday noon to 5pm

Where: The dA ceramics lab, upstairs at the dA Gallery, 252 S. Main St., 909-397-9716

We also need birthday cakes. If you enjoy baking, please create a special cake for our birthday party.

Thank You!

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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Miss Pomona Pageant Returns

The Downtown Owner’s Association (DPOA) announced today that it will sponsor the Miss Pomona Pageant this year. “The pageant, which has gone missing for two years, will return and some deserving young lady will be crowned Miss Pomona this October” said Lorena Matarrita Co-Chair of the Miss Pomona committee and Miss Pomona 2004. “A committee was formed two months ago, Matarrita said, “and we are now in a position to announce our plans”. The steering committee consists of a group of individuals that appear to be dedicated to making the pageant happen. Co-Chairs of the committee are Lorena Matarrita, DPOA Executive Assistant and former Miss Pomona, and Mickey Gallivan, Pomona Historical Society President. Other members are; Katherine Culliver and Adriana Robledo, Pomona Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and former Miss Pomona Princesses, Larry Egan , executive director DPOA, Paul Knopf, teacher, Pomona Unified School District, Ronald Ching, Pomona Community Life Commissioner, Tim Saunders, Pomona City Councilmember, Dawn Schaller, active community member, and Rita Romero, Pomona Cultural Arts Commissioner.

Plans are to notify all eligible young ladies and move the screening process along to a coronation scheduled tentatively for October 25, 2009. To be eligible to participate in the pageant young ladies must be an unmarried Pomona resident, under the age of 21, and a junior or senior in a Pomona high school with a 3.0 or better grade average. There is no talent requirement, but she must be ready to demonstrate the she is involved in her community and be ready to represent the Pomona community.

Applications will be made available in August, after the start of the new school year. Scholarships, in an amount yet to be determined, will be awarded to the finalist and her court.

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

An open letter to Councilmember Rodriguez

Dear Mr. Rodriguez,

I just wanted to share with you that this month's Second Saturday had a fabulous turnout, especially for West side of the Arts Colony. In the three years that I've been here, this has been one of the biggest and best turnouts - definitely the reason DPOA needs to continue it's fine work and keep doing what it does - so that we can continue to have these kinds of turnouts throughout the entire Arts Colony and the positive response from visitors to our Downtown.

Lisa Cabrera
Cabrera's: An Eclectic Art Gallery
637 W. Second St.
Pomona, CA 91766

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Sunday, June 14, 2009

SECOND SATURDAY ART WALK FOR JUNE


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DOWNTOWN POMONA PBID TO SPONSOR POMONA’S CHRISTMAS PARADE


It was announced today that the Downtown Pomona Owner’s Association, the operating arm of the Downtown Pomona PBID will assume responsibility for hosting Pomona’s annual Christmas Parade. Several details are still to be worked out, but the framework of the parade is all set.

The route will change this year from Holt Ave. to downtown Pomona’s historic Second Street. A wide variety of participants are expected with firm commitments from the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Post 30 American Legion, Diamond Ranch High School, Ganesha High School, Pomona Eagles Lodge # 2215, Pomona, and many more. It is expected that as many as 100 entrants will participate.

“The parade will be a community parade, everyone is welcome, car clubs, equestrians, community groups, bands, drill teams, city officials, and much more”, said Larry Egan Co-Chairman of the parade committee.

Another difference this year is the day of the parade. The parade will take place on the Second Saturday of December, December 12, 2009 and will end at Pomona’s City Hall where the Holiday Lane Celebration will be hosted. “There will be a lot going on that day”, Egan said, “The parade in the morning, Holiday Lane in the afternoon, and Second Saturday Art Walk in the evening. Good wholesome family activities”.

Download the form and rules here.

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Daily Bulletin Article

Renew Downtown Business District
Posted  6/13
"Downtown Pomona property owners would be wise to vote in favor of continuing the Pomona Business Improvement District....
... thanks largely to the security, cleanup and marketing provided by the Downtown Pomona Owners Association through the PBID.  Now, events like the Second Saturday and Last Saturday Art Walks attract people who not only check out the art in the many galleries in the Arts Colony, but also shop, eat and drink downtown. It's a fun crowd...
...With Antiques Row, the rapidly expanding Western University of Health Sciences and Cal Poly's Downtown Center, there's a lot going on downtown these days....
...The momentum is definitely going in the right direction."

Click Here to Read the Whole Article

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Saturday, June 13, 2009

IE Weekly Article

Downtown Divided - Is a Pomona business tax 
a burden or a life support?
By: Nate Jackson - Inland Empire Weekly

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VEHICLE PARKING DISTRICT AND DPOA BEGIN PARTNERSHIP

The Pomona Vehicle Parking District (VPD) and the Downtown Pomona Owner’s Association (DPOA) entered into a discussion last night at the regularly scheduled VPD meeting in the City Council chambers at Pomona City Hall. It was agreed that in a three way partnership between the VPD, the DPOA, and the City of Pomona’s Public Works Department empty tree wells throughout downtown Pomona could well be filled with young trees.” There are currently fifteen barren tree wells throughout the downtown “, stated Larry Egan, executive director of the DPOA. “If the VPD were to purchase the trees and the Public Works Department provided the manpower to plant the trees, then the DPOA could water, weed and care for the trees. It’s a win, win, and win situation for everybody” 

Paige Bruyn, the Chair of the Vehicle Parking District Commission requested that the item be placed on the agenda for discussion and action at the July 9, 2009 meeting. 

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Friday, June 5, 2009

Thank You!

At last night's special Council meeting several people spoke about the work the DPOA does for the downtown, some spoke against the DPOA, but without a doubt everyone was sending a message,and not necessarily to the City Council. If you listened you heard a chorus of people from all walks of life describing Pomona, particulalry downtown Pomona, or Metro Pomona as we like to say, as a part of their lives, a community, a home, a place to point to with pride, a place of business and livlihood for some and a social gathering place for others. It is obvious that Metro Pomona means something special to so many people. The possesiveness and pride of occupancy, residency,and ownership came through loud and clear. Even the critics of the DPOA spoke of Metro Pomona with a sense of pride.

Metro Pomona is a living, breathing work in progress to most, like a child going through its formitive years. There was no talk of her age however (over 120 years) her pot-holed streets, her drafty buildings, her parking issues, or any of her shortcomings. All talk about her was positive, like a parent boasting about their child,only the positive attributes were mentioned. There was a lot of talk about her behavior in former years and the transition she has made from then to now. As with any parent there is a desire to have your child live up to their potential, and that is what was really happening last night.

The message from the audience and City Council alike was not lost on the DPOA. There is much more to do, and some things have to be done better. Dialog and constructive, strategical goals need to be developed and implemented. The DPOA has moved from adolescence to adulthood in short order,of necessity, and not unlike any awkward, gawky teenager has experienced some of lifes realites. But having been prepared well for its role in the real world, the DPOA is now ready to leave home and become a contributing member of society.

To all of you that came out in support of the DPOA and to all of you who spoke in favor of the DPOA and to all of you who have helped to shape the DPOA, thank you! We still have some tough obstacles to overcome in terms of the re-certification. The ballots went out last night to all property owners in the PBID They now have 45 days to return them to the City Clerk. On July 20 the City Council will hold a public hearing on the matter, the sealed ballots will be counted.If the votes are there, and the City Council wishes, the DPOA will be re-certified. That is an over simplification of the process, but you get the idea. So we're halfway there at this point. The City Council has given the DPOA the opportunity to continue with the process and that in itself says that we're doing something right. As we were told last night and in weeks past there is much more to do and much that we do can be done better. We're listening.

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

To be or not to be

Sorry to keep harping on this subject, but it is vital to the survival of the DPOA. Tonight there is a special meeting of the Pomona City Council to decide if the DPOA's request to continue with the process of recertification will be granted. That's essentially it. There are a lot hoops for us to jump through, but ultimately the City Council will have the say. Your presence will go a long way to convince the Council that you want the DPOA to remain in place.

Come support the DPOA tonight. 6PM, City Council Chambers. Please arrive a little early so you will have time to submit a speaker card.

No matter what happens tonight...Thank you for your inspiration and support!

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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

City Council Thursday Night

Last night a crowd reaching 100 strong came to the Pomona City Council meeting prepared to speak in support of the downtown Pomona PBID, aka DPOA (Downtown Pomona Owner's Association), but as you know by now, the DPOA's re-certification item was moved to a special meeting of the City Council, this Thursday at 6PM. For all of you that took the time to show your support, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Now, more than ever, it is important for you to come back to the City Council this Thursday night. Bring your friends and neighbors and anyone who wants to see downtown Pomona continue on the road to revitalization. Not withstanding the first game of the Lakers that night, this item is more important and will have more impact on your lives than the Lakers. Besides, it is only the first game. So please come once again and show your support.

On a happier note, it is approaching Fresh Air Flicks time. This year the series will run an extra month. Check this blog in the days to come for a list of potential movies. You will be asked to vote for your favorites.

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